BHUBANESWAR: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has ordered a halt to construction activities at a housing project in Nandan Vihar due to multiple complaints from the residents’ welfare association.
The residents raised concerns regarding unauthorized expansions, violations of ORERA regulations, and the developer’s neglect of critical infrastructure commitments. BMC officials confirmed that the stop-work order was issued on Friday after a preliminary investigation revealed ongoing construction for the expansion block despite identified violations.
A senior official from the BMC stated that inspectors have been tasked with monitoring the site to ensure compliance with the order. “In light of the grievances and the evident violations of approved building norms, we’ve mandated that the developer cease all construction activities pending further review,” the official explained.
Complaints from the residents include various infractions by the builder, such as proceeding without necessary permissions and starting work even after ORERA denied the builder’s project registration application in January due to non-compliance with RERA standards.
In a letter to Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, the residents expressed their concerns that the builder commenced excavation and structural work for additional high-rise blocks without securing the required two-thirds consent from existing occupants.
The BMC intervened following intensifying pressure from the residents, who identified additional issues including failure to file mandatory Form D, non-refund of security deposits and sinking funds, and incomplete essential works like rainwater drainage, structural repairs, and the handover of the electrical substation to TPCODL.
The residents assert that the BMC’s action was prompted by documented evidence of ongoing site work using heavy machinery. “Despite ORERA’s rejection of the expansion, the builder continued digging and preparing foundations. We had no option but to escalate the issue,” stated Dilip Rout, secretary of the residents’ association.
The association has also accused the builder of violating parking regulations stipulated in the original 2017 BDA approval, which required that 20% of the total parking area be designated for visitor use—an obligation the builder allegedly neglected. With the stop-work order issued, residents are hopeful for more stringent measures to follow.
The association has called for the BDA to initiate proceedings under Section 26(1) of the Odisha Apartment (Ownership and Management) Act, 2023, seeking punitive measures against the developer for continuing work without appropriate approvals and for not submitting Form D despite repeated reminders.
